2016 PGA Tour: Quicken Loans National Odds and Predictions

The 2016 PGA Tour moves on to Maryland this weekend, as Rickie Fowler carries in the best odds to take down the 2016 Quicken Loans National tournament.

PGA fans and bettors are fresh off of an intense U.S. Open tourney that saw Dustin Johnson secure his first major tourney, and Johnson and most of the big threats will take a break as Fowler and others try to get a win under their belt.

Fowler is without a doubt one of the most talented golfers strolling into Bethesda this weekend and after several strong runs in 2016, it’s easy to see why Vegas likes his chances to finally secure that elusive first victory of the season.

Quicken Loans National Favorites

Fowler isn’t alone at the top, of course. Per Bovada, this is a pretty wide open tournament from top to bottom. Fowler does have the best odds, but he’s followed closely behind by some stiff competition and a field that is probably better than advertised.

There is a ton of reason to love Fowler. Even though he wasn’t great last weekend, he’s still enjoyed a strong year and has been in the mix down the stretch in a ton of tournaments and has placed inside the top-10 six times. He even was runner-up at this event last year.

It’s certainly worth noting that he has not been great lately, however, and that the course is different for this year’s Quicken Loans National.

Fowler isn’t the only guy to consider betting on, either, as Reed is the 13th best golfer in the world right now and is also searching for his first tourney win since 2015. Unlike Fowler, Reed has actually been solid lately, placing inside the top-15 in two of his last three events. He’s also made it inside the top-10 an insane 8 times on the year, so he’s a great bet to be in the mix again late this weekend.

Furyk comes in with solid odds after showing up big time last weekend (tied for second at the U.S. Open). He’s very experienced and should be fresh after playing just five tourneys this year, plus the momentum certainly can’t hurt.

It’s tough to really buy into Marc Leishman winning for the first time this year this weekend, but his solid play of late can’t be denied. He’s only made it into one top-five all year, but in his last three events he’s built momentum with three straight finishes inside the top-18, as well as two inside the top-15. He could be gaining on a big win and it could come in Maryland this weekend.

Justin Thomas is probably the other top contender to really consider of this group, as he’s had a really nice run in 2016 with one win and four top-5 finishes. He’s avoided fizzling out lately, too, as he finished third at The Players Championship and was a respectable 32nd in last week’s U.S. Open. Of this contending group, he may have the best combination of talent, momentum and odds payout potential.

Top Quickens Loans National Sleepers

Daniel Summerhays +4500

Webb Simpson +4500

Kevin Streelman +5000

Shawn Stefani +6600

Adam Hadwin +8000

K.J. Choi +10000

Troy Merritt +15000

Summerhays, Streelman and Simpson feel like the true sleepers of this goup. Summerhays comes in a week after finishing inside the top-10 at a brutal course in the U.S. Open, while he’s finished as good as 17th in the past at this very course.

Simpson fell apart at the U.S. Open, but came in looking sharp with 3rd and 11th place runs in his previous two contests. With an easier course and some elites out of the way, he could be a viable threat.

The same goes for Streelman, who cracked the top-15 at the U.S. Open last week and finished 8th in the tourney before that. He’s coming in hot and could be one to watch for.

Choi, Stefani and Merritt all deserve a cursory glance just because they’ve had success in this event and bring solid payout potential to the table. Merrit has awful odds and hasn’t been great in 2016, but he did win last year’s Quicken Loans National tourney. The course is different, but players often step their game up for specific events.

Because of that, we need to also consider Stefani (second in 2014) and Choi (won in 2007, second in 2011).

Quicken Loans National Prediction

Anytime a pool is a little diluted and Rickie Fowler makes good sense, Vegas seems to back him and we get excited. The problem with Fowler, so far, has been that he’s good enough to hang around, but he is still struggling with the nuances of golf – most notably inconsistency.

This looks like a prime spot for Justin Thomas to strike. He’s young, he’s talented, he made his presence known to a certain degree at a very difficult U.S. Open and he’s enjoyed a very stout 2016 run. It’s high time he adds a win. If Fowler doesn’t do it first, we like Thomas to swoop in this weekend and get the job done.